Experience local indigenous culture spearfishing along the Bama Way in Queensland. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied

FROM spearfishing with Aborigines in tropical north Queensland to playing lawn bowls with the locals in Yamba, travellers are embracing travel experiences in which they can engage with the community.

Since introducing immersive, authentic trips in Australia in January, the Canadian founder of adventure travel company G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, says he has been overwhelmed by the response.

The company has 20 itineraries in Australia and plans to double the number next year.

"It was the fastest start-up program we have ever had," Mr Poon Tip says.

"We have been adding more departures as we have gone."

Other experiences in the itineraries include sleeping in a swag under the stars on a working cattle station near Rockhampton and in shearers' quarters on a sheep farm at Nundle in the New South Wales Outback.

The Australian trips are mostly aimed at international tourists, but Poon Tip has been surprised at the number of domestic bookings. About 20 per cent of guests who book the tours are Australian.

While many companies offer touristy indigenous experiences such as cultural performances, Poon Tip said he wanted to give travellers the opportunity to really engage with local communities.

G Adventures has made its mark in developing countries around the world with a focus on sustainable tourism and aims to change people's lives through travel and bring money back to local communities.

"People are going to more remote areas," says Poon Tip, who spoke recently at the Australian Tourism Export Council's annual symposium in Adelaide.

"We have found in recent times travellers are more attracted to open spaces than ever before, like Mongolia, Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands.

"People are more disconnected and wanting to get away.

"It has a lot to do with how wired we are today."

Last year, G Adventures also launched a new brand called Local Living, which takes people to remote areas to stay with local families. These itineraries included You might stays on a farm in Italy or with a tribe in the Amazon.

Other companies are also following the same trend.

Trafalgar offers Be My Guest experiences in destinations including Europe, the US, South America and Asia in which travellers are invited into private homes, working farms, wineries and family-run restaurants for an insider look.

They may enjoy a lunch of local specialities with a family in their hutong home in Beijing, an outdoor cookout with cowboys in Montana or dine on pasta in an olive grove at a Tuscan estate in Italy.

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